A Brand New Year

I have been spending time planning my goals for the New Year. As I pondered which items were the most important, and what order they should go in the list, there was a knock on the door.

We had quite a few snowfalls lately and now the ground was covered with a thick coating of snow. Would I like to come out and build a snowman with my grandsons?

Well, obviously, this was more important than anything else on my list, or even making the list itself, so out I went. The snowman looked pretty good, in case you were wondering, with my husband’s hat, a bright red scarf, carrot nose and some dried fern whiskers.

Now my job is to finish this blasted list…..

What have you got on your list for the coming year? Email me at sylviegraysonauthor@gmail.com or leave a comment and let me know. πŸ™‚

Need a laugh?

What did the Tin Man say when he got run over by a steamroller?

“Curses! Foil again!”

Six More Sleeps – Christmas festivities

Christmas is almost upon us. Our tree is outside, the trunk soaking in a bucket of water with sugar and Vitamin B. The lights have come up from the basement and wait in old boxes for the decorating to begin. I’m slow this year, can’t seem to get too organized. I did begin the baking.

Last year I made shortbread and chocolate oatmeal cookies. Then I found some paper plates, filled four of them (we have four neighbours on our road) half with one type and half with the other. Wrapped them in plastic, wrote a Christmas card for each house and delivered them. It was a year that looked like a celebration that was going to be isolated and I thought it would add some festivity to the season.

This year, there are eight neighbours to consider. One of them took the time to clear the ditch so the water ran into the culvert and didn’t wash out our driveway. One started parking his truck in a different spot so it was easier to access our road. One cleared our drive of snow last year, mentioning that the cookies were darn good. These are such good people, I feel blessed to add a little to their holiday celebrations. But it does mean more cookies. πŸ™‚

What is the celebration like in your neighbourhood?

Eagle in the Tree

Don’t know if you can see the bald eagle perched on the branch of a fir tree in the middle of that picture. He watches the flats below. As soon as the winter rain starts, the water begins to accumulate down there and the birds arrive- trumpeter swans, seagulls, ducks, Canada geese. The eagles hunt the seagulls. I see them chasing around above the flats. When that happens all the seagulls rise and circle around each other, maybe to threaten or confuse the eagle. Sometimes it works.

I’ve almost finished Lies He Told, Book Four. I don’t have a title yet. This is Randy Bonnar’s story and it was fun to write. Will post the cover when I get it.

Happy Hallowe’en

Well, we survived the weather bomb, the deepest low-pressure system on record for Pacific Northwest that was coming at us last weekend. We barely noticed it, although when I went for a walk, the wind in the tall firs sounded like a car coming up behind me.

All the leaves fell off the trees.
The fir needles fell so heavily it looked like it was snowing

So, now Hallowe’en is upon us. Hope the ghosts don’t scare you, but just keep an ear out for the little voices calling “trick or treat” at your front door. They are so cute, tons of witches, goblins, fire fighters, warriors, Paw Patrol characters. Have fun!